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Rosselkhoznadzor / News

Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance

Measures Taken to Prevent Import of Infested Dutch Flowers into Russia

Regular exports of infested cut flower consignments from the
European Union to Russia are indicative of a serious problem in the system
ensuring phytosanitary safety of plant products exported from the European
countries. As it is known the basis for import of cut flowers and other plant
products to Russia is the compliance with Russian and international
phytosanitary requirements guaranteed by the national competent authority. But
during the last three months in the course of phytosanitary control of cut flowers
imported to Russia from the EU countries 324 consignments infested with the
quarantine pests like western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Perg), white
rust disease of chrysanthemum (Puccinia horiana Henn.), silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia
tabaci) and leafminer (Liriomyza trifolii Burg) were detected. The said pests
were found in 183 consignments of flowers grown in the Netherlands; that is 58%
of all cases. The most common found pest was western flower thrips (Frankliniella
occidentalis Perg); it was detected in 156 cases.

The situation is complicated by the fact that from January
1, 2007 the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Safety of the Netherlands
acknowledged the absence of thrips-free growing sites and ceased issuing
phytosanitary certificates for cut flowers. As a result all Dutch flowers are
imported to Russia through the territories of other EU countries like the Czech
Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary and Poland. Every
consignment is accompanied with phytosanitary certificates of the said
countries which confirm the full compliance of products with Russian and EEC
requirements and standards.

Taking into account the seriousness of the current situation
and in order to maintain the appropriate phytosanitary safety level in Russia
and protect its territory from quarantine pest introduction and spread,
according to the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and
Phytosanitary Measures and International Plant Protection Convention and with
the aim to prevent introduction of temporary restrictions on import of cut
flowers from the whole EU the Rosselkhoznadzor deems it necessary to hold
urgent technical consultations with the EU competent authorities on this issue.
In the meantime the Rosselkhoznadzor proposes to the EU national plant
protection organizations to suspend certification of Dutch cut flowers for
import to Russia.